Bath apparatus



Jan. 10, 1933. $ULL|VAN 1,893,849

BATH APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 5. 1951 :5 Sheets-Sheet 1 foward SaZZZ Uan,

INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

Jan; 10, 1933. E. G. SULLIVAN 1,893,849

BATH APPARATUS Original Filed Jan/5. 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,ZUa/arJ 6. Sullivan;

1 N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

Jan. 10, 1933.

E. G. SULLIVAN BATH APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 5. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q2 a; if 43-, a.

g Edward G Lsuzzz vmz,

1 N I ENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

' Patented Jan. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD G. SULLIVAN, OF AMARILLO, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR T JOSEPH S. BELT, OF AMARILLO, TEXAS BATH APPARATUS Application filed January 5, 1931, Serial No. 506,810. Renewed November 7, 1932.

The present invention relates to bath apparatus, and has particular reference to an improved apparatus for supplying carbonated water to bath tubs or the like for bathing purposes.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a bath apparatus of the above kind which is thoroughly eflicient and reliable in operation and relatively economical to manufacture and install.

A further object of the invention is to pro-. vide a bath apparatus of the above kind embodying means to thoroughly carbonate and store a relatively large quantity of water as required for bathing purposes, and wherein the use of expensive motors and pumps, which are likely to get out of order or whose efficiency depends upon constant care and attention, is entirely avoided. A Still another object ofthe present invention is to provide a bath apparatus of the above kind which is to a great extent automatic in operation, whereby the apparatus may be readily placed in practical use and utilized with a minimum amount of skill and attention.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bath apparatus of the above kind embodying'means to automatically vary I the pressure under which the carbonated water is maintained, in accordance with variations in the temperature of such carbonated water, whereby a supply of water in a comparatively highly carbonated condition is always insured.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a bath apparatus of the above kind embodying means to automatically bring the temperature of the carbonated water to and maintain it at a predetermined desired temperature as it is drawn oil for bathing purposes, as prescribed according to the individual pat-ients need.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bath apparatus of the above kind embodying means to selectively heat or cool the carbonated water as it is drawn oil for bathing purposes, and to automaticallycontrol the degree of cooling or heating of the carbonated water, so that such carbonated water may be drawn oil at any desired temperature for use irrespective of variations in temperature of the water available for carbonation in different localities and installations or at diflerent seasons of the year. 7

Other objects of the invention are to provide a large capacity storage tank for the carbonated water together with novel and eflicient means for directly and thoroughly 6 carbonating the water as it is supplied to the storage tank; to provide means for automatically relieving the storage tank of excessive pressure of gas in the upper portion thereof, and to provide means for automaticallyutilizing excess gas discharged from the top of the storage tank in the further carbonation of water.

Additional objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic elevational View of a bath apparatus embody- 7 ing the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the combined water carbonator and storage tank and adjacent parts, the combined carbonator and storage tank and certain other parts being shown in central vertical section.

Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal section on line 33 of Figure 2, with the gas sprayinv device broken away and in section.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional detail View of the pressure operated valve for automatically relieving the storage tank of excess gas pressure in the upper portion of said tank.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan View of the bath tub, showing the arrangement of faucets for controlling the supply of water to the bath tub.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the tub and the two-way faucet associated with the tub for selectively effecting the supply of carbonated water or plain cold water to the bath tub; and

gure 7 is an enlarged View, partly in elevatlon and partly in vertical section, showing 1C jects the discharge end of a water supply pipe 6 7 which preferably has a spray nozzle 8 at the discharge end thereof, and which is preferably connected to a city water main as a source of water supply under pressure. R1 gidly supported within and in spaced concentric relation to the dome 6 is a tube 9 having a bottom flange 10 arranged in spaced relation to the top of the tank 5. Fitted and supported within the tube 9 are a plurality of superimposed foraminous sheets 11, preferably of fine wire mesh. and onto which the water is sprayed from the nozzle 8, so that it will pass therethrough and ultimately fall in numerous fine jets or streams within the upper portion of the tank 5, for a purpose which will presently become apparent. The water is automatically maintained at a constant level within the tank 5 by means of a float valve including a valve proper 12 arranged in the water supply pipe 7, and a float 13 arranged within the upper portion of the carbonator and storage tank 5 and operatively connected to the valve 12. I

Arranged near the carbonator and storage tank 5 is an ordinary tank or flask 14 charged with liquid carbon dioxide under high pressure, and the outlet of this tank or flask is connected by a pipe 15 with a gas spraying.

device 16 arranged within the bottom portion of the combined carbonator and'storage tank 5. The gas supply pipe 15 has a branch 15a which opens within the upper portion of the tank 5 above the level of the water therein, and associated with the pipe 15 and its branch 15a is an automatic pressure operated valve 17 which is adapted to close communication between the pipe 15 and its branch 15a when the pressure in the top of tank 5 is less than the pressure in the pipe 15 between the valve 17 and the flask 14, and to automatically close communication between the flask 14 and the spraying device 16 and simultaneously open communication between the branch 15a and the spraying device 16 when the pressure in the upper portion of the tank 5 exceeds that in the pipe 15 between,

the flask 14 and the valve 17. This may be ac: complished by means of any suitable form of pressure operated valve, and the form of valve shown in Figure 4 is simply illustrated by way of example, As shown, this: valve includes a movable ball valve or element 18 normally seated as shown by full lines in Figure 4 to close communication between the pipe 15 and its branch 15a, at which time communication is provided between the flask 14 and the spraying device 16. The valve 17 has a further seat to be engaged by the ball 18 as shown by dotted lines in Figure 4,the ball valve member 18 being forced to the latter position when the pressure in the branch 15a and the top of the tank 5 exceeds that in the pipe 15 between the valve 17 and the flask 14., When in this dotted line position, the ball valve member 18 closes communication between the tank 14 and the spraying device 16 and simultaneously opens communication between the top of the tank 5 and the spraying device 16, by way of branch 15a. The purpose of the valve 17 will be readily ap parent when it is considered that it is impractical to so re ulate the flow of gas from flask 14 to the tan 5 so that all of the gas will be taken in solution with the water in the tank 5. Accordingly, some of the gas necessarily passes from the flask 14 to the tank 5 and accumulates in the 'top of tank 5 where its pressure eventually becomes equal to the pressure of gas in the pipe 15 between the valve 17 and flask 14. When the gas pressure in.

the upper portion of tank 5 equals that in the pipe 15 at a time when the level-of the water within the tank 5 is at a low point, the subsequent rising of the level of the water in the tank 5 will cause the gas in the upper portion of said tank to be compressed so that its pressure will exceed the pressure of the gas within the pipe 15. When this condition exists, orwvhen the pressure in the top of the tank 5 is correspondingly increased due to sudden rise in temperature of the water in the tank 5, the valve member 18 will be displaced to the dotted line position of Figure 4 so as to cut off the supply of gas from the flask 14 and simultaneously permit the excess gas to flow from the top of tank 5 by way of branch 15a to the spraying device 16 for use in the carbonation of water. It is accordingly apparent that the valve 17 and branch 15a provide means for utilizing excess gas in the top of tank 5 in the operation of carbonating the water whenever the pressure of the gas within the top of tank 5 exceeds the pressure in the pipe 15. Undue sudden Figure 4 so as to again establish communication between the flask 14 and the spraying device and simultaneously cut off communication between the pipe 15 and the branch 15a.

Arranged in the gas supply pipe 15 adjacent the outlet of flask 14 is the usual pressure regulating valve 19 and pressure gage 20,

while a suitable cut ofi valve 21 may alsobe provided in pipe 15 between the valve 19 and the valve 17.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the spraying device 16 may consist of a pan-shaped casing of a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of thetank 5 and arranged in the lower portion of the latter, said casing having a plurality of superimposed foraminous sheets or disks 22, of fine wire mesh or the like, arranged in the upper portion thereof. Arranged in the casing of the spraying device directly beneath the disks 22 is a spray head having a plurality of radial spray nozzles 23 and to which the gas supply pipe 15 is connected. By this arrangement, the gas is discharged in numerous fine jets from the apertures of the nozzles 23, after which it is further broken upinto numerous other finer jets as it passes upwardly through the foraminous sheets 22 and through the water which fills the casing of the spraying device 16 and the interstices of the sheets 22. In '1) operation, it will be found that there is a circulation of water and gas upwardly through the sheets 22 directly over the nozzles 23 and downwardly through the sheets 22 at points between the nozzles 23, whereby a continuous supply of most thoroughly carbonated water is always available within the lower portion of the casing of spraying device 16 beneath the spray head. This circulation is promoted and the constant supply of carbonated water maintained in the lower portion of the casing of spraying device 16 by reason of the weight of the water above the spraying device and the pressure downwardly thereon exerted by the gas which accumulates in the upper portion of tank 5. It is here alsonoted that the pressure of gas in the upper portion of tank 5 acts to keep the water in a thoroughly carbonated condition by minimizing the liberation of gas from the water. This is a decided improvement over prior devices identified with the bath apparatus art which have been invaribly of a type which propose to carbonate the water after it is placed in the bath tub. It is well known that water may not be thoroughly carbonated in an open top container, the gas merely passing upwardly through the water and escaping to a large degree under such conditions so that the water is actually carbonated only to a negligible degree.

The tube 9 and its flange 10 are spaced from the dome 6 and the top of tank 5 as described above in order that the water may freely and properly pass into the tank 5 from the supply pipe 7, and in order that the gas within the upper portion of tank 5 may pass around the flange 10 and the tube 9 into the upper portion of the dome 6 to mingle with the incoming water and pass with it down through the foraminous sheets or screens 11. In other words, the gas pressure is equalized on both sides of the "screens. 11 or within the upper portion of the tank 5 and within the dome 6 so that the gas will intimately comingle with the incoming water to directly partially carbonate the water as it enters the tank 5 and passes through the screens 11. This carbonation is further enhanced as the water drops or passes through the zone of gas existing in the upper portion of tank 5 below the screens 11 and above the level of the water in the tank5.

Secured upon the top of tank 5 is a casing 24 within which is arranged a heat exchange coil 25 connected by a pipe 26 with a suitable source S- of cold wa er or other cooling medium, and by a pipe 26a with a suitable source of supply S of hot water or other heating medium. The purpose of this arrangement and the features of construction identified therewith will be presently described more in detail.

The tank 5 has a carbonated water outlet ipe 27 whose inlet end is arranged below the level of Water Within the tank 5 and preferably within and adjacent the bottom of the casing or spraying device 161 This outlet pipe 27 extends upwardly through the top of tank 5 and enters the coil 25 adjacent its outlet end, after which said pipe 27 continues in a coil within the coil 25, emerging from the latter near its supply pipes 26 and 26a. It is thus evident that as the carbonated water is drawn off from the tank 5, it flows through th coiled portion of outlet pipe 27 within the coil 25 countercurrent to the flow of the heating or coolingmedium through said coil 25., In this way the carbonated water iseflectively heated or cooled to the desired temperature as it is drawn off for use. The carbonated water is used for bathing purposes, and as shown, the outlet pipe 27 is connected to one of the two inlets of a two-way faucet 28 arranged to discharge into a bath tub 29 or the like. The other inlet of faucet 28 is connected with an ordinary cold water supply pipe 30, and it is thus apparent that when the valve member of faucet 28 is in the full line position of Figure 6 the supplyof water is entirely cut off. However, when the movable valve member of faucet 28 is moved to one position the fiow ofcarbonated water is permitted from pipe 27 into the tub 29, and when said movable valve member of faucet 28 is in another position the flow of ordinary cold water is permitted from pipe 30 into the tub 29. The tub 29 may also be equipped with the usual hot water supply pipe 31 and faucet 32. In this way no additional fixtures are der pressure outwardly through the outlet pipe 27 and into tub 29 when the faucet 28 is opened with respect to the pipe 27.

' Referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that I have shown a water supply pipe W which is preferably'connected to a city water main as a source of water supply under pressure, and in which is arranged a regulator valve R by means of which the pressure of water at the outlet or left hand side of said regulator valve is maintained at a un form desired pressure. The pipe -W 1s provided with branches W and W which respectively lead to the inlet of the cooler -S and to the inlet of the heater S-. A two-way valve V is rovided in the pipe W- between the ranches thereof and the regulator valve R- so that the supply of water may be selectively directed through either the branch W or the branch W The pipes 26 and 26a arerespectively connected to the outlet of the cooler S- and heater S', and it is thus apparent that either a heating or a cooling medium may be selectively supplied to the coil 25, whereby the carbonated water may be either cooled or heated as it is withdrawn from the tank 5 for bathing purposes. It is well known that the temperature at which carbonated water may be properly and most effectively employed for bathing purposes may vary greatly according to the nature of the patients ailment as well as his particular nature and condition, and such temperatures are usually prescribed after thorough examination of the patient by an expert or physician. It is further evident that the temperature of water available for carbonation. may vary greatly in different seasons of the year, in different installations of the apparatus and in diiferent localities. It is therefore necessary in some cases to raise the normal temperature of the carbonated Water, and in other cases to lower the temperature thereof. It is for this reason that-an apparatus of the present kind should preferably include a' means for selectively either cooling or heating the carbonated water as it is drawn off for use. Further, the supply of heating or cooling medium must be regulated so that the carbonated water will be at a desired uniform temperature when drawn off for use. As shown, the temperature of the carbonated water may be automatically regulated as it is drawn oil for bathing purposes by means of a conventional type of thermostatic regu lating valve including valves proper 33 and 33a connected in tandem relation and respectively arranged in the supply pipe 26 and in the supply pipe 26a for the coil 25. This thermostatic regulating valve also includes a main bellows B connected by a pipe I) with the top of the tank 5 as a '21, a gage G- for indicating the degree of pressure being included in the pipe I) ata suitable point. The thermostatic valve further includes an auxiliary bellows -B which is connected by means of a tube 35 with a bulb 36 containing a fluid which expands and contracts under the influence of variations in temperature and located in the carbonated water outlet pipe 27 adjacent the inlet of coil 25, the said fluid being also contained in the tube 35 and auxiliary bellows B. This type of regulating valve is well known, and its operation is clearly explained, for example, in the U. S. patent to A. Roesch, No. 1,304,100, dated May 20, 1919. The present valve, as shown, differs from the valve of this patent only in that the additional valve proper 33a is provided with its stem rigidly connected with the movable valve member of the usual valve 33, the movable valve member'of valve 33a being arranged to seat in an opposite direction from that in which the movable valve member of valve 33 seats, and the movable valve member of valve 33a being full opened whenthe movable valve member of valve 33 is fully closed, and vice versa. 'With this type of valve, any degree of temperature may be maintained at the bulb 36 by simply varying the extent or degree of inflation of the main bellows B, which is accurately registered by the gage -G. However, it is to be distinctly understood that the means for supplying the coil 25 selectively with either a heating or a cooling medium, and the means for automatically regulating the supply of, either medium so as to automatically supply the carbonated water at a de' sired uniform temperature, may be of any well known or preferred kind, type or construction, those illustrated being shown merely by way of example to disclose a possible operative embodiment of the inventive idea. The discharge end or outlet of the coil 25 may be conveniently connected with the drain pipe 37 of the bath tub 29 by means of a pipe 38, as shown.

It is well known that when water is carbonated and maintained under a predetermined pressure and temperature after being carbonated, the carbonated water will contain a predetermined amount of carbon dioxide gas for every volume of water. For instance, if the gas is supplied from tank 14; at a pressure of 50 pounds and the water is supplied to and maintained in the tank 5 to a temperature of a fractionover 32 F., the water may be carbonated to such a degree that it will comprise about 7.53 volumes of carbon dioxide gas to every volume of water. It is further pointed out that carbonated water must be comparatively of a highly carbonated nature in order to serve any really useful or beneficial purpose in connection with bath apparatus. It is further known that the increase in temperature of water supply, there will be a corresponding increase in the gas pressure within the top of tank 5 and accordingly in the pressure under which the carbonated water is maintained Within the tank 5. By thus subjecting the carbonated water to increased pressure in accordance with the increase in temperature of the carbonated water within the tank 5 when such temperature increases beyond a predetermined point, the tendency of the water to release the gas is materially offset so that carbonated water of a relatively high degree of carbonation is available at all times. The theory is that increased pressure on top of the carbonated water will oppose the liberation of gas from the water to a greater extent as the tendency to release the gas from the water increases due to rise in temperature of the water beyond a predetermined point. This theory is of proven character and generally recognized in the art of carbonating water. In order to accomplish the desired result in this connection, means is provided to automatically adjust the regulator valve 19 in accordance with changes in temperture of the carbonated water within the tank 5. In other words, I provide means to automatically increase the pressure of gas supplied from tank 14 through the pipe 15 by actuation of the regulator valve ,19 in accordance with the rise of temperature of the carbonated water in tank 5 when such temperature rises beyond a predetermined point. As shown, this means may consist of an automatic thermostatic regulating valve of the type shown in the patent to A. Roesch No. 1.540.035, dated June 2. 1925. In adapting a valve of this type to the present apparatus, the stem 12 of such patent, indicated herein at 40, may be operatively connected to the adjusting screw of the regulator valve 19 by means of a connecting rod 41 and a segment gear lever 42 whose gear portion meshes with a pinion 43 provided on' the outerend of the adjusting screw of said regulator 19.

The bellows 14 of said patent is indicated herein at 44, such bellows being shown as connected by means of a tube 45'with a bulb 46 (Figure 7) projecting into the tank 5 and subjected to the temperature of the water in the latter. The bulb 46 as Well as the tube 45 and bellows 44 contain a fluid which expands tained and contracts under the influence of variations in temperature of the water in tank 5, and the means provided in the last-mentioned patent for adjusting the actuation of bellows 44 is utilized and generally indicated at 47 so that the device may be set to operate and begin adjusting the regulator valve 19 when the temperature of the water within the tank 5 rises beyond a predetermined point. Naturally, by this arrangement the degree of increase in pressure of the gas supply through pipe 15 will vary in accordance with the degree of increase in temperature of the water in tank 5 when such temperature rises beyond the predetermined point referred to. On the other hand, the thermostatic device may be set to only actuate the valve 19 when the temperature of the water in the tank 5 is above the desired predetermined point. For instance, in initially setting the apparatus, the valve 19 may be adjusted to supply gas under pressure to pipe14 at a certain desired pressure, after which the segment of gear lever 42 is meshed with the pinion 43 with the bellows 44 at its limit of contraction as determined by adjustment ofthe means indicated at 47. Under this condition, the bellows 44 may not contract further if the temperature of the water in the tank 5 lowers beyond a predetermined point, and the regulator valve will not be affected. This is the desired operation because the lowering of the temperature of the water 5 beyond such predetermined point to a slight extent does with which the water may be carbonated and the efficiency with which it may be mainin highly carbonated condition. However, should the temperature of the water in the tank 5 rise beyond the aforesaid predetermined point, the liquid in the bulb 46, tube45 and bellows 44 will be expanded so as to actuate the stem 40 and adjust the screw 9f valve 19 to increase the pressure of gas supplied through pipe 15, the degree of adjustment and amount of increase in pressure of gas supply varying in accordance with the degree of increase in temperature of the water within the tank 5 beyond such predetermined point. In this way the pressure of gas is increased to more highly carbonate the water and maintain it under a higher degree of pressure in accordance with the increase in temperature of the water within the tank 5 beyond the predetermined point. This predetermined point will of course be calculated as the most efficient degree of temperature available under existing circumstances under which the apparatus is installed and employed.

It is desirable to effect a displacement of the carbonated water in the tank 5 laterally with respect to the spray nozzles 23 so that all portions of the water may be subjected i to the gas escaping .from said nozzles 23 and means which is automatic in that it is selfacting immediately upon supply of water to the tank 5 and withdrawal of carbonated water from said tank.

As shown in Figure 2, the agitation of the water may be effected by means of a stirrer 48 carried on the lower end of a vertical shaft 49 journaled in a suitable support 50 coincident with the vertical axis of the tank and directly above the spraying device 16, the upper end of shaft 49 being geared as at 51 to the lower end of a further vertical shaft 52 which extends upwardly through the tops of the tank 5 and casing 24 and connects at its upper end with the power shaft of a suitable water motor 53 arranged in the water supply pipe 7. 01)- viously, when the water is supplied through pipe 7, the motor 53 will be actuated to rotate the stirrer 49 and displace the water in the tank 5 laterally with respect to the nozzles 23. In Figure 7 will be found a modification of this construction wherein the lower end of shaft 49 is rigidly attached to the axis of a rotary spray head including the nozzles 23 and having its inlet coupled by a rotary or swivel connection 54 with the gas supply pipe 15. This construction involves l the same driving means for the shaft 49 as has been just described with respect to the stirrer 48 and its associated mechanism in connection with Figure 2, and corresponding parts of the construction shown in both figures are accordingly provided with like reference numerals. By rotating the spraying head on a vertical axis, the nozzles 23 will be obviously rotated relatively to the water in the tank 5 so that there is a displacement relative to the n ozzles 23 and the water laterally with respect to the nozzles. In the construction of Figure 7 the outlet pipe 27 will necessarily terminate in the casing of the spraying device 16 below the screens 22 but directly above the spraying head including the nozzles 23 so as to not interfere with rotation of said spraying head.

In operation, the cut-off valve 21 is opened after the carbonator and storage tank 5 has been filled with cold water to the level shown .in Figure 2, further supply of water being at that time discontinued by reason of float 13 closing valve 12. The carbonic gas under pressure passes from flask 14 through pipe 15 and spraying device 16 into the carbonator and storage tank, 5, thus effectively carbonating the water in the latter. When the carbonated water is to be drawn off from the tank 5 for use, the thermostatic regulator 33a, etc., is properly adjusted for automatically regulating the temperature ofthe carbonated water at the outlet side of the coil 25 so that it will be at the desired temperature when discharged into the tub 29. Having determined the temperature of the carbonated water in the tank 5 and the temperature desired for the carbonated water when discharged into the tub 29, it may be readily determined whether or not the water is to be cooled or heated as it is drawn off. Assuming that the water requires heating, the valve -V- is turned to cause the water to flow from pipe W- into pipe -W then 4 through heater -S', pipe 26a, and coil 25. If the water requires cooling, the valve V will be turned to cause the water to flow from pipe -W- to pipe W', through cooler S, pipe 26 and coil 25, the heating or cooling medium, in either case, being discharged from the coil 25 through pipe 38 to the drain pipe 37 of the tub 29. Assuming that the water is to be heated, the carbonated water will pass through the coil portion of the outlet pipe 27 within the coil 25, while hot water will flow from the heater -S- through the coil 25. The flow of hot water through the coil 25 will be automatically regulated by the valve proper 33a and the associated thermostatic means so as to properly heat the carbonated water as it passes through the coil portion of pipe 27 for maintaining the carbonated water at the desired temperature at the outlet side of coil 25 and as it is dis charged through faucet 28 into the tub 29. A like operation takes place when a cooling medium is used, at which time the valve 33 functions instead of the valve 3341. In other words, the supply of heating or cooling medium to the coil 25 is automatically regulated in accordance with the temperature of the carbonated water flowing through outlet pipe 27, and in this way the temperature of the carbonated water being drawn off is kept uniform. It is simply necessary to properly set the valve -V-- and open the cut-off valve 21 to place the apparatus in condition for use, the operation being entirely automatic thereafter as soon as the faucet 28 is opened in communication with the pipe 27. As the carbonated water is drawn off from the carbonator and storage tank 5, the float 13 lowers so as to open valve 12 and permit additional water to be supplied to the carbonator and storage tank 5 for being carbonated. EX- cess gas supplied to the tank 5 will ultimately accumulate in the upper portion of the lat ter and mingle with the incoming'water for partially carbonating the latter in the manner hereinbefore explained. Should the pressure of the gas within the upper portion of the tank 5 ultimately exceed the ressure of gas in the pipe 15 between valve 1 and flask Ill ' again seats in the full line position of Figure 4 so as to permit the gas to again fiow from flask 14 to the spraying device 16. When the temperature of the water in the tank 5 rises above a predetermined point, the thermostatic regulator device including bellows 44 will adjust the regulator valve 19 so as to increase the pressure of gas passing from flask 14 through pipe 15. This increases the supply of carbonic gas and ultimately increases the pressure maintained in the top of tank 5 so as to oflset any tendency of too much gas to evolve from the water in tank 5 by reason of the undue increase in temperature of such water. The action which takes place in this connection may be said to involve an increased pressure on top of the water so as to aid in keeping a desired amount of the gas mixed With the water in tank 5 even though the rise in temperature would tend to reduce the amount of gas in mixture with the water at a lower pressure such as normally existed before the regulator valve 19 were further opened'by the thermostatic device.

It will thus be apparent that the present apparatus is automatic in its operation with the exception of operation of the faucet 28 after the valves 21 and V have once been opened. Further, the apparatus is quite com-' pact and comparatively slmple in construction, as well as economical'to manufacture and install and efiicient and reliable in operation.

Minor changes are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

1. In abath apparatus, a substantially gastight storage tank, means for supplying Water to and maintaining it at a predetermined level Within said tank, means for supplying gas under pressure into the lower portion of said tank for carbonating the water therein, and means for automatically increasing the pressure of gas supplied to said tank in accordance with the rise of temperature of carbonated water within said tank when said temperature rises beyond a predetermined point, said tank having a valve-controlled discharge pipe having an inletend extending into said tank below the level of the water therein. I

2. In a bath apparatus a substantially gastight storage tank, means to automatically supply said tank with carbonated water and to maintain the carbonated water therein under pressure, said tank having a discharge pipe opening within the tank below the level of the water therein, heat exchange means for changing the temperature of the carbonated water as it is drawn ofl' from said tank, and means to automatically regulate the temperature of the water as it is drawn off from said tank.

3. In a bath apparatus, a substantially gastight storage. tank having a discharge pipe extending therein 'to a point adjacent the bottom thereof, means for supplying said tank with carbonated water and for maintaining the carbonated water therein at a constant level, means .to selectively heat or cool the carbonated water as it is discharged.

from said tank, and means for automatically regulating the cooling or heating of said carbonated water whereby the same may be brought to and maintained at a desired uniform temperature when discharged from said tank.

4. In a bath apparatus, a substantially gastight storage tank having a discharge pipeextending therein to a point adjacent the bottom thereof, means for supplying said tank with carbonated water and for maintaining the carbonated water therein at a constant level, means to selectively heat or cool the carbonated water as it is discharged from said tank, and means for automatically regulating the cooling or heating of said car- 'bonated water whereby the same may be brought to and maintained at a desired uniform temperature when discharged from said tank, said last-named means being adjustable to effect discharge of the carbonated water from said tank at any desired temperature.

5. In a bath apparatus, a substantially gastight storage tank having a discharge pipe opening therein adjacent the bottom thereof, a spraying device in the lower portion of said tank, means including a supply pipe and a source of gas under pressure connected to said spraying device for supplying gas to the water in said tank for carbonating the latter, aby-pass connection between said tank and said gas supply pipe at a point above the level of the water within said tank. and means associated with said by-pass and said gas supply pipe for automatically disconnecting the source of gas supply from the spraying device and simultaneously placing the'top of the tank in communication with said spraying device when the pressure in the top of said tank exceeds that in the supply pipe between said by-pass and said source of gas supply, said last-named means further adapted to connect the source of gas supply with the. spraying device and to disconnect said source from the top of said tank by way of said by-pass when the gas pressure in the upper portion of said tank is reduced below the pressure in said supply pipe.

6.1m a bath apparatus, a substantially gas-tight storage tank having a discharge pipe opening therein near the bottom there-.

of, a spraying device arranged in the lower portion of said tank and including radiating nozzles, means for supplying gas under pressure to said spraying device for carbonating the water inthe tank, means for effecting relative lateral displacement between the water in the tank and the nozzles of said spraying device, and means for supplying water to and maintaining it at a predetermined level within said tank, said means for efiecting relative lateral displacement between the water in the tank and the nozzles of the spraying device embodying a swivel connection between the spraying nozzles and the gas-supply pipe whereby said nozzles: may be rotated on a vertical axis, and a water motor associated with the water supply and operatively connected with said nozzles whereby the latter are automatically rotated upon supply of water to the tank.

7. In a bath apparatus, a substantially gastight storage tank, means for supplying water to and maintaining it at a predetermined level in said tank, means for supplying gas under pressure into the lower portion of said tank for carbonating the water therein, and means for automatically varying the pressure of the gas supplied to said tank in accordance with the change of temperature of the carbonated water within said tank.

8. In a bath apparatus, a substantially gastight storage tank having a discharge pipe opening therein adjacent the bottom thereof, a spraying device in the lower portion of said tank including a series of foraminous screens arranged in superimposed relation slightly above the bottom of said tank, horizontal upwardly discharging nozzles forming part of said spraying device and arranged directly beneath said foraminous screens, means including a supply pipe connected to said nozzle and a source of gas under pressure for supplying gas to the water in said tank for carbonating the latter, and means for effecting relative lateral displacement between the water in the tank and said nozzle.

9. In a bath apparatus, a substantially gastight storage tank having a central top dome, means for supplying water to and maintaining it at a predetermined level within said tank, said water supplying means including a water supply pipe having a discharge end projecting into said top dome, a tube rigidly supported within and in spaced concentric relation to said dome and having a bottom flange arranged in s aced relation to the top of the tank, a plurality of superimposed foraminous sheets fitted and supported within said tube and onto which the water isdischarged from said water supply pipe, said foraminous sheets being spaced above the water level in the tank whereby the water may pass therea through and through a zone of gas in the upper portion of the tank when entering the latter, the tube and its flange bein spaced from the dome and the top of the tan to per- 

